Cosmetic applicator and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator and a method for using the same are disclosed. The cosmetic applicator includes a hollow application element, a sealing element, and a holding element. The hollow application element has an opening to accept a fluid media, wherein hollow application element becomes resilient in the presence of the fluid media. The sealing element is configured to seal the opening to maintain the fluid media in the hollow application element. The holding element is mounted on the hollow application element at a position corresponding to the sealing element. The cosmetic applicator can reduce a usage amount of a make-up material and be quickly and easily cleaned after being used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The instant disclosure relates to a cosmetic tool, and more particularly to a cosmetic applicator and a method for using the same.

2. Description of Related Art

In Taiwan, many people may be susceptible to suffering from skin problems due to the muggy and humid weather. Thus, people who love beauty try to use skincare and cosmetic products with low burden on the skin. In addition, women use mostly a powder puff to make up the face every day. This easily results in the growth of bacteria breeding in the powder puff, and thus causes skin problems, if the powder puff is not cleaned as often as possible or not replaced with a new one regularly. The research findings indicated that the number of bacteria breeding in a powder puff which is used over six months without cleaning is twice as that breeding on a toilet seat.

Sponge and silicone powder puffs are commercially available. However, the sponge powder puff is formed with pores. When in use, a make-up material would diffuse into the pores and result in an increased usage. In addition, the residual make-up material cannot be effectively removed from the pores regardless of how frequently the user can clean the sponge powder puff. Thus, the sponge powder puff, when being used for a long period of time, needs to be replaced with a new one to avoid the growth of bacteria so as to provide the user with a comfort in use. Nevertheless, the expenses of sponge powder puffs would arise inevitably. In comparison with the sponge powder puff, the silicone powder puff can save the usage of the make-up material and be easily cleaned by rinsing and scrubbing. However, producing silicone powder puffs is not only time-consuming but also a burden on the production cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the instant disclosure relates to a cosmetic applicator and a method for using the same which are of better convenience and flexibility in use and economically feasible.

One of the embodiments of the instant disclosure provides a cosmetic applicator which includes a hollow application element, a sealing element, and a holding element. The hollow application element has an opening to accept a fluid media, wherein the hollow application element becomes resilient in the presence of the fluid media. The sealing element is configured to seal the opening to maintain the fluid media in the hollow application element. The holding element is mounted on the hollow application element at a position corresponding to the sealing element.

Furthermore, the hollow application element includes a body portion and an installation portion which extends from the body portion. The opening is formed at the end of the installation portion. The holding element is mounted on the installation portion.

Furthermore, the body portion has an outer diameter greater than that of the installation portion.

Furthermore, the cosmetic applicator includes a connecting element which is surroundingly coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the installation portion. The holding element is fittingly connected to the installation portion by the connecting element.

Furthermore, the connecting element has an inner peripheral surface with at least one first engagement structure. On the outer peripheral surface of the installation portion at least one second engagement structure is arranged to couple with the at least one first engagement structure.

Furthermore, the installation portion has a limiting flange arranged on an outer peripheral edge thereof. The limiting flange fittingly abuts against the end surface of the connecting element.

Furthermore, the sealing element includes a stop portion and an engagement portion which extends from the stop portion. The stop portion has an outer diameter greater than that of the engagement portion. The stop portion fittingly abuts against the installation portion and the engagement portion sealingly engages with the opening.

Furthermore, the hollow application element is made of a silicone foam material.

Furthermore, the holding element has an outer wall surface formed with a plurality of holding ribs and a plurality of grooves which are alternately arranged.

Furthermore, the fluid media is air or water.

Another one of the embodiments of the instant disclosure provides a method for using a cosmetic applicator. The first step is to provide the cosmetic applicator which includes a hollow application element, a sealing element, and a holding element. The second step is to accept a fluid media form an opening of the hollow application element such that the hollow application element becomes resilient. The third step is to seal the opening by the sealing element to maintain the fluid media in the hollow application element. The fourth step is to mount the holding element on the hollow application element at a position corresponding to the sealing element. The final step is to operate the holding element to bring the hollow application element into contact with a make-up material.

Furthermore, the hollow application element is made of a silicone foam material.

Furthermore, the fluid media is water with a temperature ranging from 35° C. to 40° C.

Based on the above, the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure has the following advantages: the hollow application element is designed to become resilient in the presence of the fluid media, such that it does not generate any irreversible deformation, and thus it can be used to apply a make-up material to the user's face in a relatively short time.

To further understand the techniques, means and effects of the instant disclosure, the following detailed descriptions and appended drawings are hereby referred to, such that, and through which, the purposes, features and aspects of the instant disclosure can be thoroughly and concretely appreciated. However, the appended drawings are provided solely for reference and illustration, without any intention to limit the instant disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the instant disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the instant disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional assembled view of the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure taken from a view angle;

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure taken from another view angle;

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional partially-exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 5 is another three-dimensional partially-exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the hollow application element according to other embodiments of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the hollow application element according to other embodiments of the instant disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the cosmetic applicator according to other embodiments of the instant disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the method for using the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is mainly to provide a cosmetic applicator, which is never seen before, for women who love beauty. The cosmetic applicator can replace conventional sponge and silicone powder puffs to apply various make-up materials such as liquid foundation, BB cream, CC cream, blush cream, air cushion powder, and honey powder to a user. The cosmetic applicator can be used to transfer an appropriate amount of the make-up material to the user's face and uniformly dispersed on the skin surface.

Embodiments of a cosmetic applicator and a method for using the same according to the instant disclosure are described herein. Other advantages and objectives of the instant disclosure can be easily understood by one skilled in the art from the disclosure. The instant disclosure can be applied in different embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to various details in the description for different applications without departing from the scope of the instant disclosure. The drawings of the instant disclosure are provided only for simple illustrations, but are not drawn to scale and do not reflect the actual relative dimensions. The following embodiments are provided to describe in detail the concept of the instant disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope thereof in any way.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional assembled view, FIGS. 2 and 3 are three-dimensional exploded views, FIGS. 4 and 5 are three-dimensional partially-exploded views, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic view. The cosmetic applicator Z mainly includes a hollow application element 1, a sealing element 2, and a holding element 3. The hollow application element 1 is formed with an opening 120 to accept a fluid media F and becomes resilient in the presence of the fluid media F. The sealing element 2 is configured to seal the opening 120 to maintain the fluid media F such as air or water in the hollow application element 1. The holding element 3 is mounted on the hollow application element 1 at a position corresponding to the sealing element 2.

In this embodiment, the hollow application element 1 can be made of a soft plastic material, preferably silicone, and be molded to any desired regular or irregular shape. For example, the hollow application element 1 may be of an irregular shape as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a plateau shape as shown in FIG. 7, or a peach shape as shown in FIG. 8. The sealing element 2 and the holding element 3 can be made of a hard plastic material which is well-known in the art. It should be noted that the hollow application element 1 is designed to become resilient in the presence of the fluid media F, thereby saving a large amount of a make-up material. In addition, when in use, the hollow application element 1 does not generate any irreversible deformation, such that it can be used to apply a make-up material to the user's face in a relatively short time.

More specifically, the hollow application element 1 includes a body portion 11 and an installation portion 12 which extends from the body portion 11, and the body portion 11 has an outer diameter greater than that of the installation portion 12. The body portion 11 is configured to contain the fluid media F and apply a make-up material, and has an accommodation space (not numbered) of the fluid media F and a contact surface S for carrying the make-up material and contacting the user's facial skin surface. The contact surface S may be a plane surface or an arc surface. The installation portion 12 is configured to be assembled with the holding element 3, wherein the opening 120 is formed at the end of the installation portion and in fluid connection with the accommodation space.

The sealing element 2 includes a stop portion 21 and an engagement portion 22 which extends from the stop portion 21, and the stop portion 21 has an outer diameter greater than that of the engagement portion 22. More specifically, the stop portion 21 has a circular plate-like shape and the engagement portion 22 has a circular pillar-like shape. The stop portion 21 has a central region (not numbered) and a peripheral region (not numbered) surrounding the central region and the engagement portion 22 is arranged on the central region. When assembling the sealing element 2 to the hollow application element 1, the stop portion 21 fittingly abuts against the end surface of the installation portion 12 and the engagement portion 22 sealingly engages with the opening 120, thereby preventing the fluid media F from leaking out of the hollow application element 1.

In this embodiment, an additional connecting element 4 is used to assemble the hard holding element 3 to the soft hollow application element 1. The connecting element 4 is surroundingly coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the installation portion 12 and the holding element 3 is fittingly connected to the installation portion 12 by the connecting element 4. More specifically, the connecting element 4 is of a ring shape and has an inner peripheral surface 41 and an outer peripheral surface 42 opposite to the peripheral surface 41. The inner peripheral surface 41 is provided with at least one first engagement structure 411 (e.g., an engagement groove) and the outer peripheral surface of the installation portion 12 is provided with at least one second engagement structure 121 (e.g., an engagement block) which is configured to couple with the at least one first engagement structure 411. The outer peripheral surface 42 is provided with an outer thread 421 and an inner wall surface of the holding element 3 is provided with an inner thread 31 which is configured to couple with the outer thread 421. Furthermore, the installation portion 12 has a limiting flange 122 disposed on an outer peripheral edge thereof.

The connecting element 4 can be assembled to the installation portion 12 of the hollow application element 1 by engaging the first engagement structure 411 with the second engagement structure 121 and abutting the limiting flange 122 against the end surface thereof. After that, the holding element 3 can be assembled to the connecting element 4 by threading the outer thread 421 with the inner thread 31. Furthermore, the holding element 3 has an outer wall surface formed with a plurality of holding ribs 31 and a plurality of grooves 32 which are alternately arranged. The holding ribs 31 are configured to increase a contact area in connection with a user's hand to improve holdability or operability. In this embodiment, the hollow application element 1, the holding element 3, and the connecting element 4 are assembled together by virtue of a quick release mechanism including first and second engagement structures and inner and outer threads, but it may be varied in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 9. In other embodiments, an annular flange 422 is further provided on the top end of the connecting element 4, such that the holding element 3 and the connecting element 4 can be assembled easily, quickly and conveniently. When the connecting element 4 is assembled to the installation portion 12 of the hollow application element 1, the annular flange 422 fittingly abuts against the end surface of the body portion 11. Accordingly, the hollow application element 1 can be stably held during assembling operation by applying an external force from a user to the annular flange 422. Therefore, the assembling problem due to the inconvenience of applying an external force can be solved.

Various features of the cosmetic applicator Z have been described in detail in the preceding paragraphs. The following further describes a method for using the cosmetic applicator Z to assist the reader in understanding the advantages thereof.

Please refer to FIG. 10. The first step (step S100) is to provide a cosmetic applicator which includes a hollow application element, a sealing element, and a holding element. The second step (step S102) is to accept a fluid media form an opening of the hollow application element such that the hollow application element becomes resilient. The third step (step S104) is to seal the opening by the sealing element to maintain the fluid media in the hollow application element. The fourth step (step S106) is to mount the holding element on the hollow application element at a position corresponding to the sealing element. The final step (step S108) is to operate the holding element to bring the hollow application element into contact with a make-up material. The user can repeat step S108 and then apply a specific amount of a make-up material to the face to make the face look better.

Based on the above, the cosmetic applicator of the instant disclosure has the following advantages. The hollow application element is designed to become resilient in the presence of the fluid media, such that it does not generate any irreversible deformation, and thus it can be used to apply a make-up material to the user's face in a relatively short time.

In comparison with the conventional silicone powder puff which is of a solid structure, the hollow application element of the cosmetic applicator is a hollow structure containing the fluid media, and thus it can save a large amount of a material and shorten the forming time.

Furthermore, the hollow application element is made of a soft plastic material (e.g., silicone) without having pores and thus does not absorb a make-up material when in use. Therefore, the hollow application element can save the usage amount of the make-up material and be easily cleaned by rinsing and scrubbing.

In addition, the hollow application element has an additional function of heat treatment for opening skin pores on the face while using water with a temperature ranging from 35° C. to 40° C. as the fluid media. Therefore, the make-up material can fittingly come in contact with the facial skin to obtain a better make-up performance.

The aforementioned descriptions merely represent the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure, without any intention to limit the scope of the instant disclosure which is fully described only within the following claims. Various equivalent changes, alterations or modifications based on the claims of the instant disclosure are all, consequently, viewed as being embraced by the scope of the instant disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic applicator, comprising: a hollow application element having an opening to accept a fluid media, wherein the hollow application element becomes resilient in the presence of the fluid media; a sealing element configured to seal the opening to maintain the fluid media in the hollow application element; and a holding element mounted on the hollow application element at a position corresponding to the sealing element.
 2. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the hollow application element includes a body portion and an installation portion which extends from the body portion, the opening is formed at the end of the installation portion, and the holding element is mounted on the installation portion.
 3. The cosmetic applicator of claim 2, wherein the body portion has an outer diameter greater than that of the installation portion.
 4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 3, further comprising a connecting element which is surroundingly coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the installation portion, and the holding element being fittingly connected to the installation portion by the connecting element.
 5. The cosmetic applicator of claim 4, wherein the connecting element has an inner peripheral surface with at least one first engagement structure, and on the outer peripheral surface of the installation portion at least one second engagement structure is arranged to couple with the at least one first engagement structure.
 6. The cosmetic applicator of claim 5, wherein the installation portion has a limiting flange arranged on an outer peripheral edge thereof, and the limiting flange fittingly abuts against the end surface of the connecting element.
 7. The cosmetic applicator of claim 6, wherein the sealing element includes a stop portion and an engagement portion which extends from the stop portion, the stop portion has an outer diameter greater than that of the engagement portion, the stop portion fittingly abuts against the installation portion and the engagement portion sealingly engages with the opening.
 8. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the hollow application element is made of a silicone foam material.
 9. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the holding element has an outer wall surface formed with a plurality of holding ribs and a plurality of grooves which are alternately arranged.
 10. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the fluid media is air or water.
 11. The cosmetic applicator of claim 10, wherein the fluid media is water with a temperature ranging from 35° C. to 40° C.
 12. A method for using a cosmetic applicator, comprising the steps of: providing the cosmetic applicator which includes a hollow application element, a sealing element, and a holding element; accepting a fluid media form an opening of the hollow application element, wherein the hollow application element becomes resilient in the presence of the fluid media; sealing the opening by the sealing element to maintain the fluid media in the hollow application element; mounting the holding element on the hollow application element at a position corresponding to the sealing element; and operating the holding element to bring the hollow application element into contact with a make-up material.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid media is air or water.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid media is water with a temperature ranging from 35° C. to 40° C. 